Net is given go-ahead to transform America

United States president George W. Bush and Congress are being urged to put e-learning at the centre of America's education agenda by the bipartisan, congressional web-based education commission.

Its report concludes that it is time to move the power of the internet for learning from promise to practice: "The question is no longer if the internet can be used to transform learning in new and powerful ways. The commission has found that it can," the report says. "Nor is the question: should we invest the time, the energy and the money necessary to fulfil its promise in defining and shaping new learning opportunity? The commission believes that we should."

Senator Bob Kerrey, commission chairman, said a national mobilisation is necessary to ensure that the potential of technology is harnessed to benefit all learners.

The report demonstrates that the digital divide is a reality, as millions do not have access to technology or the internet.

The commission devised a seven-point action plan that includes a call for internet resources to be made affordable and widely available to all learners and another urging the development of high-quality online educational content.

"Every stakeholder in American education must make it a priority to work in collaboration to realise the internet's potential in education," said Johnny Isakson, vice-chairman of the commission.

Details: www.webcommission.org